Moths are groups of mostly nocturnal insects that share the order Lepidoptera with butterflies. They usually have threadlike or feathery antennae in contrast to butterflies that possess thin antennae with small clubs or balls at the end.
Scientific ClassificationAnimaliaArthropodaInsectaLepidoptera Scientific ClassificationAnimaliaArthropodaInsectaLepidoptera
Types of Moths List of Common Types of Moth SpeciesIt isestimated that about 160,000 moth species currently exist, out of which nearly11,000 species are found in the US, and many of these are yet to be describedby scientists. Here are some of the different types of moth species that arecommonly found today:
CometMothLimeHawk-MothTwin-SpottedSphinx MothOleanderHawk-MothIoMothGardenTiger MothGalliumSphinx MothRosyMaple MothDysphaniaMilitaris MothCecropiaMothNoctuidaeMothGiantLeopard MothEmperorMothRothschildiaaurotaWhite-linedSphinx MothLunaMothGiantAtlas MothPellucidHawk-MothElephantHawk-MothJapaneseSilk MothAngleShades MothAnnuletMothAntlerMothAshworth’sRustic MothBarberryCarpet MothBarredHook-tip MothBox-treeMothBorderedWhite MothBrimstoneMothBrown-tailMothBuff-tipMothBlotchedEmerald MothBorderedGothic MothCommonCarpet MothCloudedBuff MothCloudedBorder MothCommonSwift MothDuskyHook-tip MothDottedChestnut MothDewMothDarkBordered Beauty MothFive-spotBurnet MothFeatheredThorn MothFrostedOrange MothFlameShoulder MothGoldSwift MothGhostMothGaliumCarpet MothGypsyMothGrassWave MothGrassRivulet MothHornetMothHeartMothHumming-birdHawk-MothJerseyTiger MothJulyBelle MothLichenButton MothLargeEmerald MothLicoricePiercer MothMintMothMagpieMothMarbledClover MothMarchMothMotherof Pearl MothOrchardErmine MothOakBeauty MothOakLutestring MothPeachBlossom MothPine-treeLappet MothPrettyPinion MothPurpleThorn MothRaspberryClearwing MothRubyTiger MothRedUnderwing MothScallopedOak MothSmallEmerald MothScarletTiger MothSilverBarred MothTrueLover’s Knot MothTransparentBurnet MothWhiteErmine MothWinterMothWillowBeauty MothYellowHorned MothYellowBelle MothPepperedMoth
MothPhysical Description and AppearanceSize: Moths vary in size depending on thespecies. The largest species is Atlas moth with a wingspan of about 25-30 cmand a wing surface area of nearly 400 cm2 while the smallestNepticulidae moths have a wingspan of approximately 0.25 cm.
Color: They typically have dull coloringwith drab-colored wings.
Body: Their body is larger and bulkier ascompared to butterflies and is covered with dust-like scales.
Wings: Their forewings are joined to the hind wings by a frenulum, a small fold of tissue. This coupling of wings allows them to work in unison when they are flying.
Moth ImagesDistributionMoths arefound all across the globe, occurring on all the continents except Antarctica. Althoughtheir population is higher and more diversified near the tropics, some mothspecies exist at the limits of Arctic vegetation.
What kind of Habitats are they found inThey can adaptto nearly every environment, from high mountaintops and deserts to saltmarshes. Moths typically live in mangroves, grasslands, lowland forests, dunes,and wetlands.
How long do they liveThe lifespanof moths varies significantly depending on the species. An adult brown housemoth typically lives for 2-4 months while the hawk moths have an averagelifespan of 3 months. The yucca moths are the shortest-lived, surviving foronly two days after metamorphosis.
Moth CocoonWhat do they eatAdult mothseat only liquids for maintaining their water balance. While most species sipnectar from flowers, others take sap from trees and fluids from rotting fruits,animal dung, or bird droppings. The larvae of several moth species like tineidmoths feed on fabric, including blankets and clothes made from silk or wool.
BehaviorMothsnavigate by flying on a fixed-angle path relative to distant celestial objectslike stars and the Moon.Theyvibrate their wings for heating their flight muscles because they cannot usethe Sun’s energy as they are mostly nocturnal insects.Mothsdisplay positive phototaxis, meaning they move toward artificial lights. It isbecause they use the light source for navigation and attempt to correct theirflight path by getting closer to the light.Mothlarvae (called caterpillars) produce cocoons, the pupal stage from which themature moths with fully-developed wings emerge.Somecaterpillars dig up holes in the ground and live there until they are ready totransform into adults.
Moth CaterpillarAdaptationsTheirstreamlined abdomen, along with narrow wings, allows them to fly quickly for anextended period. The hawk-moths, for example, fly with a top speed of 30 mphwhile others can hover steadily over a flower, like hummingbirds.Mothsblend into their natural environment to keep themselves safe from predators.Several moth species like the peppered moth mix with their surroundings by assumingthe form and color of a twig. Other species, such as the polyphemus moth haslarge eye-like markings that trick predators into believing that it is muchlarger.Certainspecies like the yucca moth display mutualistic behavioral adaptation andcoevolve with yucca plants. These flowers can only be pollinated by yuccamoths, which lay their eggs and the caterpillars develop inside the ovary wherethey feed on the seeds.How do they Reproduce and MateAdult moths attractpotential mates by releasing pheromones. After locating his mate, the adult malepursues the female until she moves down to the ground. The male moth moves hisantennae, flaps his wings, and releases pheromones. He then mounts the female,with the mating process being very brief.
After matingsuccessfully, females lay eggs singly or in batches inside plant tissues, dropthem from the air, or attach them to objects. In colder regions, the eggs hatcheither in summer or spring. Depending upon the species, the availability offood, and the temperature, it takes about 15 days to 2 years for the eggs totransform into adult moths.
Moth LarvaMoth-FAQs1. Where do moths come from?
Mothsoriginated long before the butterflies, with fossils found that areapproximately 190 million years old. Scientists believe that moths firstappeared along with flowering plants, with Archaeolepismane being the earliest ancestor of moths having scaled wings just likecaddisflies.
2. Do moths bite?
No, mostmoth species found in homes do not bite people.
3. Do moths eat clothes?
The larvaeof Tineidae moths eat clothes made from natural fibers like silk or wool.
4. Are moths poisonous?
Yes. Somespecies like the six-spot burnet moth produce cyanide-based compounds to createdifferent forewing markings, signaling predators to leave them alone.
5. Are moths nocturnal?
Not all mothspecies are nocturnal. Some species like the sphinx moths are diurnal or crepuscular.
6. What predators may eat moths?
Moths arepreyed upon by insectivorous animals like some species of bats, owls, lizards,rodents, cats, dogs, and bears.
Moth BugInteresting FactsBecause it causes damage to forests, the gypsy moth caterpillar is an invasive species in the northeastern US.The African sugarcane borer is a severe pest of maize, sugarcane, and sorghum in sub-Saharan Africa.Some moth species like the domestic silkworm, Assam silk moth, Japanese silk moth, and Chinese silk moth are farmed for the silk which they use for building their cocoons.The larvae of several moths, such as the saturniids, are used as foods in southern Africa.Moth larvae that infest clothes can be killed by freezing the items for a few days at temperatures below 18 °F (-8 °C).